Richie Ramone: The Cluny, Newcastle

AS iconic names go there`s few that can match that of The Ramones. The legendary New York Punk Rockers have arguably become more influential and more revered than they were during their heyday. Their black leather, jeans and long-haired mops became their trademark and their 1-2-3-4 count in, their rock`n`roll calling card.

Only drummers Marky and Richie Ramone are left to fly the flag. Richie Ramone replaced Marky in the band from 1983 to 1987, being replaced by a returning Marky until the band called it a day in 1996.

Richie Ramone has assembled a potent band to celebrate the legacy of the Ramones, while also taking it forward into the 21st Century. Joined on stage by the rabble-rousing Alex Kane, formerly of gonzoid Rockers Anti-Product, along with former bandmate Clare Misstake, on bass. Ben Reagan added extra bite to the rhythm section as well as switching to drums when Ramone stepped out front.

Richie Ramone cherry-picked material from his tenure including the classic Somebody Put Something In My Drink and a breakneck romp through Wart Hog with Ramone drawing on all his stamina to sing and drum at the same time.

Steering clear of most of the more obvious songs was a real bonus for the hard core fans of the band but there was time for a stampede through Sheena Was A Punk Rocker. Of course the 1-2-3-4 count was evident throughout the night and none more so than on the Blitzkrieg Bop, which had the whole venue bellowing out “Hey Ho, Lets Go” with the band. Great stuff.

Mick Burgess